Fire prevention & planned burns
Fire Prevention & Planned Burns
See how the City of Kelowna reduces wildfire risk through fuel‑management work like chipping, thinning, and prescribed burns.
Check for prescribed burns near you
Each year, the Kelowna Fire Department conducts prescribed burns in high‑risk areas. These controlled, low‑intensity fires safely remove excess vegetation that can fuel larger wildfires in order to protect communities and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Watch a prescribed burn in action from October 2025, or check below for planned burns happening near you.
Planned burn for Knox Mountain Park
The Kelowna Fire Department is planning another controlled burn in two areas of Knox Mountain Park. These low‑intensity, carefully managed fires help reduce wildfire risk while supporting the long‑term health of local forests.
This work builds on the prescribed burns and community outreach completed in fall 2025, when the Kelowna Fire Department, Parks Department, and BC Wildfire Service treated an 11-hectare area.
Timing
A burn window has NOT been confirmed. The burn is expected to occur in September or October 2026.
Prescribed burns only move forward when conditions are safe and smoke and fire can be carefully managed. If conditions aren’t suitable, the burn may be delayed by several weeks or postponed until the following year.
Burn map
The burn will cover about 17 hectares. Burn locations are selected based on wildfire risk on the Fuel Types Map.
AREA MAP WILL BE AVAILABLE ONCE BURN WINDOW IS CONFIRMED
What to expect
- Visible smoke, including beyond the park
- Temporary trail or area closures
- Fire personnel and equipment working in the burn area
- Fire and parks crews patrolling the area up to two weeks following active burning
What is the impact on trails
- Knox Mountain Drive will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians.
- Several upper trails will be temporarily closed, including Apex, Shale, Simpson, the Pavilion, and the top lookout.
- Park users are asked to respect closures, follow posted signage, and follow directions from staff while operations are underway.
What residents can do
- Plan ahead: Close windows and doors while smoke is present
- Adjust activities: Limit outdoor activity, especially strenuous exercise
- Stay informed: Check local air quality reports and City updates
Updates will be shared through on‑site signage, the City’s website, and social media channels.
Prescribed burns have also been successfully completed in other communities including Kamloops, Cranbrook and Lake Country.
Fire prevention with a plan
Kelowna’s Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan is the City’s roadmap for reducing wildfire risk over the long term. First developed after the 2003 wildfire and last updated in 2022, the plan pinpoints local wildfire risks and sets out prevention efforts. View the plan to see how it guides fuel‑reduction projects and FireSmart initiatives.
Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan
Explore Kelowna's wildfire prevention efforts
The City of Kelowna, the Regional District of Central Okanagan, the Province of BC, and the development community all contribute to reducing wildfire risk within and around Kelowna through forest fuel reduction and FireSmart projects.
How the City reduces wildfire fuels year‑round
The City carries out ongoing fire‑prevention work in parks and natural areas to reduce the vegetation that can feed a wildfire. This includes thinning dense brush, removing dead or fallen trees, pruning lower branches, and clearing built‑up debris on the forest floor. These treatments create healthier, more resilient ecosystems while reducing the amount of fuel available to a fast‑moving fire.
What this work looks like on the ground
Crews maintain strategic fuel breaks—areas where vegetation is reduced—to help slow the spread of wildfire and support safer firefighting operations. All work is completed by Urban Forestry and Fire staff using best‑practice standards for public safety and ecological health.
Why the City uses prescribed burns
Prescribed burns are an effective, provincially approved fuel‑reduction practice used in many communities. These low‑intensity, carefully planned fires clear out excess vegetation, reduce the chance of wildfire spread, and support healthy local ecosystems. The Kelowna Fire Department carries out prescribed burns in select areas of the city to help manage wildfire risk. The work is delivered in partnership with Urban Forestry and the BC Wildfire Service, with support from Intact Insurance Corporation.
When prescribed burns happen
Prescribed burns typically take place in spring (March–April) and fall (September–October), when conditions allow smoke and fire behaviour to be safely controlled. Timing depends on weather and site conditions. If conditions aren’t suitable, the burn is postponed to the next appropriate seasonal window. The safety of residents, the community, and firefighters is always top of mind.
Where prescribed burns take place
Prescribed burn locations are chosen using mapped fuel types from the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, and field assessments carried out by Urban Forestry and Fire crews. For a simplified view of local fuel types, see the Fuel Types Map.
What residents can expect
During the burn, you may notice:
- visible smoke and temporary air quality impacts
- temporary trail or area closures
- fire personnel and equipment working in the burn area
After the burn, crews will monitor the site for up to two weeks, ensuring all fire has been extinguished.
How the City notifies residents
Because smoke and visible flames can cause concern and lead to 911 calls, the Kelowna Fire Department provides advance notice before any prescribed burn. Information is shared through door‑to‑door notifications, on‑site information sessions, and digital channels such as social media and the City’s website. We also work with community partners, including neighbourhood associations, to help spread the word. As the burn window approaches, residents will see on‑site signage in and around the area.
What the FireSmart program does
The FireSmartTM program supports wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation across the community. Funded in part by the provincial government, the program is delivered through seven disciplines: homeowner education, vegetation management, legislation and planning, development considerations and neighbourhood planning, interagency cooperation, emergency planning and cross-training.
How FireSmart helps residents
A major part of FireSmart is helping residents lower the risk of wildfire on their own properties. The program provides practical resources, step‑by‑step guidance, and neighbourhood‑level initiatives that make it easier to reduce the chance of homes igniting during a wildfire. Demonstration sites throughout the city show what FireSmart principles look like in real life, giving homeowners clear examples to follow.
What FireSmart work looks like in the community
FireSmart supports residents through workshops, home assessments, and community events that highlight simple, effective actions—like clearing debris, spacing vegetation, or choosing fire‑resistant materials. The program also helps neighbourhood groups work together to improve local wildfire resilience.
FireSmart Community Chipping Program
Launched in 2022, the FireSmart Community Chipping Program offers free curbside chipping for specific high‑risk vegetation removed from residential properties. By collecting and chipping flammable materials such as cedar hedges, juniper shrubs, and coniferous prunings, the program helps reduce wildfire fuels near homes and supports safer neighbourhoods. It is funded through provincial wildfire‑resiliency grants and delivered by the City.
